Shuttle feeler mechanism for looms



Feb. M. L" ON A SHUTTLE FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed April-s, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //\/\/E/\/7'OF?-' was};

W ATTORNEY I 1,573,505 M. L. STONE I SHUTTLE FEELER MECHANISM FOR LbOMS Feb. 16, 1926.

Filed April 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 =0 ATTORNEY I Patented Feb. 16, 15326.

UNETED STATES AT ENT QF-Fl MELVIN L. STGNE, OF LAWREIr-TGE, IEIASSACHUSE'ETS, ASSIGEEOR 13G DRA'PER COR- PQRATION, 0E HOPEDALE, MASSACI'IUSE'ETS,'AL CGRFGR-ATIOIX OF MAINE i SHUTTLE 'IvEEGHANISIJE FOB LOO Ms.

Application filer]. April 8, 1$25f Serial No. 21,683.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that l, Mnnvin L. S'roNn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an improvement in Shuttle Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing; like parts.

This invention relates to filling replenishing looms wherein the filling is replenished from time to time.

in that class oflilling replenishing mechanisms wherein the shuttle is provided with a fresh supply of filling when thatin the shuttle has become substantially exhausted, it will be manifest that if the shuttle is not in proper"replenishing position, thetransfer of a supply of filling thereto is liable to be accompanied by injury to the tran ferring mechanism, or the shuttle, or both, so that the parts are sometimes seriously deinaged.

In looms now in ordinary use his common to providea shuttle feeler which, upon call for replenishment of filling, is moved into a backward feeling position to feel for the shuttle, and if the shuttle is not fully in the box, to prevent actuation of the replenishing mechanism. In other cases, means have been provided to prevent the operation of the replenishing mechanism if the shuttle is not fully boxed or has entered the box too far as by reason of a worn picker 7 The present invention is directed to a further simplified development of means for preventing the actuation of the replenishing mechanism when the shuttle is either too far in the box or has not been fully boxed, and an important feature of the present inven tion consists in means mountedon the lay for cooperating with the usual feeler slot of the shuttle to determine whether or not-the shuttle is properly boxed, and upon detection of an improperly boxed shuttle to prevent actuation of the replenishing mechanismv Rooms of the replenishing type employ shuttles which are provided with a slot in the side wall for the entrance of the feeler to detect the condition of the filling, and whenfeeler slot of the shuttle to determine whether or not the shuttle isin pi'op'er p o sition in the box, and'upon' detection of an improperly boxed shuttle to suspend the operation 0t thereplenishing mechanism.

The invention and novel combinatioirof parts will best be made clear from the fol- 1 is a perspective view of a loom" Fig. 4 is an enlarged"perspective detail showing more particularly the shuttle deteeter and its associated parts.

The loom fram'el has'mounted thereon as usual the transverse or rock shaft 2 sup ported in suitable bearings 3,0ne at eaehyside of the loom, and secured to andextending reaiwardlyfrom the rock shaft 2 is anarni' l, the bifurcated rear end portion of which embraces P1115 extending from a detector governor 6 pivotally 'mounted at 7 on a bracket 8 exten'dingfrom the loom frame,

the construction beiiigsuclrthat 11 3011 01111 for replenishment of filling the transverse or rock shaft 2 will be rocked, as usual in this class of looms, under the dictates of the i filling feeler at the opposite side'ofthe loom I I to effect replenishment of filling, and perforce, in the presentinvention, move thedetector governor 6 rearwardly. i

The filling hopper .9 is herein shown a's of the rotary type and contains a numberof bobbins supplied with filling, as at 10, and

pivotally supported upon the stud shaft 11f is the transferrer 12 having adownwardly extending arm 13 to which is pivoted at llthe usual dog 15 for causing'actuat'ion or the transferr'er by engagement witha'bunte-r v 16 on the lay whenlilling isto be replenished. Extending from the detector governor 6 is a slotted arm 17 which is engaged by a pin 18 carried by the dog 15, theiconstru'c tion being such that upon call for replenishment of filling the detector governonfi will all) be moved rearwardly through the connections with the transverse or rock shaft and position, the dog for engagement by the hunter 16 provided the shuttle is properly boxed. With the exception of the construction and operation of the detector governor t3, the mechanism so far described may be substantially as now COll'li'llOli in the con1- inercial loom.

The la); 19 at the 1'61Jl-t11l5lll11g side of the loom has the usual shuttle box 20 provided with an opening 21 in its bottom for the ejection of a spent filling carrier when the shuttle 22 is properly positioned in the replenishing box for the transfer and a side opening in its front wall.

llfounted on the lay, preferably below the front wall of the replenishing shuttle box is a detector shaft 523 which may be conveniently supported in bearings 2-1: carried by the lay, and secured to the detector shaft 23 are the detector lingers Q5 and 26 adapted to cooperate with the feeler slot 27 of the shuttle 22 when the detector shaft is rocked to detect the position of the shuttle in the shuttle box.

The detector shaft 23 is normally under the influence of a spring tending to hold the detector lingers and 26 in a frontward position relative to the shuttle box, and in. the present instance of the invention the spring Qt), Fig. 5%, is mounted upon the detector shaft 523, one end of the spring; being secured to a collar 5-30 on the detector shaft and the other end of the spring being secured at 31 to one of the bearings it, as indinted in Fin. l, the normal tendency of the spring acting; to turn the detector shaft 2 in a frontward or contraclockwise direction, viewing Ili s. Q and 3. To limit the frontward swinging n'uiveinent of the detector lingers under the impulse of the spring 529, astop is provided for controlling the rocking movement frontwardlv ot' the detector shaft, and in the present instance such stop is devised as a shoulder 32 on one of the brackets 24: which cooperates with a shoulder 32-3 extending from a collar 3i secured to the detector shaft.

The detector lingers and 26, as hereinbefore described, are secured to the detector shaft, and as shown. each detector finger is carried by a sleeve or collar and may be secured thereto by the set screw 36. Interposed between the detector shaft- 23 and the sleeves or collars is an elongated sleeve 37 which may be adjustably secured to the detector shaft 23 by a set screw 38 whereby the detector lingers may be adjusted relatively in unison with relation to the shaft .23. Inasmuch as it is sometimes desirable to adjust the detector lingers individually or separately, each of the collars 3'53 is secure-d to the elongated sleeve 3? by a set screw 39,

l v on call for replenishment of filling, it 7 will turn the detector shaft :23 to carry the detector lingers inwardly towards the shuttle in the replenishing box. The upstanding linger may be secured to the detector shaft 23 adjustably by means of the set screws all to permit proper relative adjustment of parts to etleet the desired cooperative relation.

The detector governor (3 has adjustably mounted thereon the contacting member 42 which is shown as secured to the detector governor by a bolt l3 which passes through a slot l t in the contact member l2, and at the rearward portion the contact member has a laterally extending end l5 which, when the detector governor is moved to a rearward position on call for replenishment of filling, will contact with the upstanding arm or projection 410 on the detector shaft and, perforce, move the detector lin- 'ers towards the shuttle in the replenishing; box. Should the shuttle .253 be properly positioned in the replenishing box for the transfer, both of the detector lingers E25 and ill; will enter the feeler slot 2.4L in the shuttle and pern'lit rocking: movement of the de tector shaft 23, and. simultaneously therewith, the detector governor will be moved rearwardly to a sutlicient extent to position the dog 15 for einra ri-ni'icnt with the hunter l6 on the lay and filling replenishment will be effected.

'bould the shuttle. however, not be properlv boxed, one of the detector lingers 23 or it will engage the wall of the in'iprtuierlv boxed shuttle aiul prevent rocliinn movement of the detector shaft ihl. and. perforce. limit the rearward movement of the detector governor (i. so that the dog l5 will not be positioned for einragrement by the hunter in on the lav and filling! replenishment will be suspended.

More particularly, should the shuttle fail to enter the shuttle box su'llicientlv for a proper transfer of the lilline' carrier thereto. the detector linger 25 will engage the wall of the shuttle, as indicated in Fla. it. and thereby limit the movement of the detector shaft and the detector governor so that the dog 1:) will not be operativelv related to the banter l6 and lilling' replenishment will not be effected. in the other band, should the shuttle be too far in the box, which mav occur at times owino; to a worn picker. the detector linger will encan'o the wall of the shuttle at the inner end of the detector slot and likewise prevent turningmovement of the detector shaft and deteeter governor to prevent actuation of the 1'0l)l("I1lSlli11{ f mechanism.

Inasmuch as the detector fingers should not enter the 'feeler' "slot suflici'entlyf far to interfere with the incoming filling carrier on replenishment of filling,"1neans are here -l1'1 pro'vlded in accordance wlth the present lIlVGIlilOIlr to limit" the inward swinging;

movement of the detector fingers. As shown, such limitation of movement" s effected by means of a pinl46 mounted on an adjustable collar 47 secured to the'detector shaft"23 and positioned to contact with the front surface of the bearing 24 when the detector shaft is turned clockwise shuttle be either too far in or toofar out,

of the replenishing box on call for replenishment of fill ng, and such controlof the operation of thereplenrshing mechanlsm or transferreris effected by a feeler member which cooperates with the usual feeder; slot of the shuttle; either to permit replenish-- rhent of filling should the'shuttle be prop-v erly boxed or prevent such replenishment of filling should be "shuttle be improperly boxed. Y I

IVhatis claimed is:

i 1. In a filling replenishing'loom; the combination of the transferrer, the transfer dog, a shuttle having a feeler slot,'detector means on the lay at thereplenishing side cooper-' ating'with' the feeler slot ofthe'shuttlefor determining the positionof the shuttle, and

connections between said detector, means and dog for rendering the dog inoperative uni i. la, e 11 I e1 "Kw-6013 50 ess s id (1 tector 1 cans itels t] f cl l t on call for replenishment of filling.

2. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay having a shuttle box provided with slot in its register with the feeler slot in the shuttle, a shuttle detector, a detector governor normally in aninoperative front position and moved rearwardly to an operative position on call for replenishment of filling, means connected with the detector constructed and arranged to be engaged by the detector governor when in rearward operative position to cause the detector'to feel through the slot in the front wall of the shuttle and enter the fecler slot when the shuttle is properly positioned in the shuttle box, and means controlled by the detector governor to prevent replenishment of filling shouldthe de-' tector not enter the feeler slot of the shuttle.

S. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle having a feeler slot, a shuttle detector mounted'onthe lay, and means for causing the shuttle detector to feel for the feeler slot of the shuttle on call for replenishment of filling and prevent such replenishment should the detector not enter the feeler slot of the Shuttle,

front wall to 4. In a'fillingreplenishingloom; the com bination'of the lay, a shuttle ha-Vinga feeler slot 'in its side-walls} a shuttle detector mountedfto enterth'e feeler'slot inthe side wall of) the's'huttl'e, an d a detector governor for causing the shuttle detectorto feel for the f eeler slot ofthe shuttle on call for re-f pleni'shment offilling and prevent operation of thereplenishing mechanism should the] detector not-"enter the feeler slot of the "shuttle; 7 v 7 5. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle having a feeler slot, two shuttledetectors mounted for cooperation witlrthe 'feeler slot, and means forcau'sing the detectors to feel for the "feeler slot-of the shuttle on call for -replen-' ishment'o'f filling =and'acting to prevent replenishment should either of the detectors" fail to enter the feeler slot of theshuttle;

6. In a filling replenishing loom, the com bination of the lay, a shuttle having a feeler slot, ashuttle detector mounted for "cooperation with the feeler'slot, a detector gov? ernor positioned on call for replenishment of filling to cause the shuttle-detector to -'movetowardstheshuttle and feel for the r feeler 'slot,'means connected to the detector for preventing full operative movement of the detector governor should the detector not enter the feelerslotas the lay advances,

andmeans controlledbythe governor to prevent replenishment offillin'g should the detector-"not enter the ,feeler slot.

7. In a*filling replenishing loom,the combination of the'lay, a shuttle'havinga feelcr. slot, ashuttle detector mounted onthe lay for cooperat'i'on with the fe'eler slot-, 'a deteeter-governor positioned on call for re-' plen-i'sl-rment of, fillingto cause the shuttle detector to move towards the shuttle and itself movcdby the detector should the detector not enter the feeler slot as the lay advances, and means controlled by the governor to prevent replenishment of filling should the detector not enter the feeler slot.

8. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay, a shuttle having a feeler slot, a shuttle detector mountedon the lay, a detector governor moved rearwardly on call for replenishment of filling and acting at such times to move the shuttle detector towards the shuttle to feel for the feeler slot, a transferrer, and connections between the transferrer and governor to prevent opshnttle.

9.. In a filling replenishing loom, the coinbination of the lay having a shuttle box provided with a slot in its front wall to register with the feeler slot in the shuttle, a shuttle detector comprising two fingers, a detector governor normally inan inoperative front positionand moved rearwardly to an operae-ration of thetransferrer should the shuttle detector fail to enter the feeler slot of the tive position on call for replenishment of filling, means connected with the detector constructed and arranged to be engaged by the detector governor when in rearward operative position to cause the detector fingers to feel through the slot in the front wall ot the shuttle and enter the teeler slot when the shuttle is properly positioned in the shuttle box, and means controlled by the detector governor to prevent replenishmentof filling should the detector fingers not enter the teeler slot of the shuttle.

10. A shuttle detector for looms, comprising a detecto shaft mounted on the lay and having a d ector to cooperate with the tfeeler slot of a shuttle, a detector governor tor moving the detector towards the shuttie on call *t'or replenit-ihment oi? filling, and means controlled by the detector governor to prevent replenishment of the filling should the detector fail to enter the l'ieeler slot of the shuttle.

11. A shuttle detector for looms, comprising a detector shaft mounted on the lay and having a detector to cooperate with the feeler slot ot a shuttle, a detector governor for moving the detector towards the shuttle on call for replenishment of filling, means controlled by the detector governor to prevent replenishment of the filling should the detector fail to enter the Tteeler slot of the shuttle, and stops for limiting the movement of the shuttle detector.

12. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a transferrer, a trans'terrer dog, a detector governor controlling the position of the dog on call for replenishment of filling, a detector actuated by the detector governor to feel for the feeler slot of a shuttle on call for replenishment of filling and to contact with the shuttle at either end of the teeler slot to prevent replenishment of filling when the shuttle is improperly boxed.

13. In a filling replenisl'iing loom, the combination of the lay having a shuttle box at the replenishing side provided with an opening in its front Wall to register with the feeler slot of the shuttle when properly positioned for replenishment of filling, a shuttle detector mounted to enter the opening and teeler slot of the shuttle on call for replenishment 0t filling, a detector governor which is moved on call for replenishment of filling to eltect movement of the huttle detector, and means controlled by the detector governor to prevent replenishment of filling should the detector fail to enter the l'eeler slot of the shuttle.

l-l-. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of the lay having a shuttle box at the replenishing side provided with an opening in its front wall to register with the 'fceler slot oil the shuttle when properly positioned for replcnislnncnt 0t filling, it shuttle detector mounted to enter the opening and leeler slot of the shuttle on call for replenishment of filling, a detector governor which is moved on call for replenishment of filling to effect movement of the shuttle detector, a stop to limit the extent of movement of the shuttle detector into the feeler slot of the shuttle, and means controlled by the detector governor to prevent replenishment of filling should the detector fail to enter the teeler slot of the shuttle.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

MELVIN L. STONE. 

